Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-20
LADIES' COLUMN.
Forecasts that are not Prophecies but
May Find FulfIIment in the
Spring Time,
Stripes and Plaids Predominant, Vel
vet to be Used as Trimming-A
Homemade Bonnet.
silken Kobe-de-NuIt, a New Couture, Bed
Room Furnishing, NOtes,
Recipes, Etc.

What is fashion and whence comes it?
are questions that ought to be submitted
to some debating society of q literary
character, where callow youths fearlessly
handle all momentous topics pertaining
to the human race with nonChalence
that can only come of youth and ineXperi
ence. To be prophet of fashion is an
assumption on the part of anyone, and
the only hope is that g failure of fulfill
ment OF prophesy will not be remembered
against the seer. One fact is established,
violent changes do not come, whatever
the lhand may be that controls them, or
from whatever quarter they originate, and
the careful observer does not risk much
by observing the tendency and popularity
of certain prevailing styles, as in the
opening of the season at least they sre
likely to be continued. For example:
the wearing of jet will extend into the
coming season from the sfact that
manufacturers are yielding to the
demands of taste, that in shape
and size it shall not be as clumsy
and heavy as formerly. 1t is brilliant
addition to the toilet with nothing of vu!-
gar glare in the ornamentation.
The indications are unmistakeable that
stripes and checks will be worn, the lat
,er amounting in dimensions to plaids.
The predominating color is blue in dark
and light shades, although there are new
tones in brown, ecru and olive.
The mixture of striped and other fancy
material with plain fabrics will continue
in favor. There are pretty tissues which
come for evening wear, reminding one OF
thirty wears ago, and lowered satin surah
which might have figured in the court OF
Josephine. One striking feature of COM
binstion in costumes is the use OF velvet
striped fabrics which is used in skirt and
bodice. Ribbon velvet is used with light
material, such IS yelling, mousseline-de-
laine and grenadines. 1t is set in rows
upon kits and tunics, laid in perpendicu-
lar bands to Simulate stripes, formed in
bows and knots to hold drapings, as
bands and straps Gcross plated panels,
and set in tiny loops under the edge OF
tabs and plastrons.
Good taste is asserting itself more than
ever IN the house dress. There never was
time or place for shabby tinery, and the
quiet elegance of the home toilet is the
distinguishing mark of refined woman.
taste has been defined as the "instanta-
neous, ready appreciation of the fitness
OF thlngs," and in no instance is this
more clearly verified than in the pretty |
mousse dress of the present day, and no
other garment is so fair an exponent of |
that appreciation on the part of the |
wearer. The tailor-made street garment
sacrificess everything to snugness and
leaves no margin for individual prefer
ences, the visiting toilet must be grandly
impressive, the ball dress brilliant, rich
and novel, but 10 law of Mede or Persian
hedges in house-dreSs, and TO the wearer
is left the exercise of preferences in color
and design. The pretty tea- gown grows